VIP Cinemas celebrates opening the Lincoln Grand

[July 26, 2021]  

On Friday evening, VIP Cinema’s celebrated the re-opening of the Lincoln movie theater with a ribbon cut.

The theater newly re-named as the Lincoln Grand has been open for a couple of weeks and according to acting manager Josh Ward business has been good and visitors to the theater have been optimistic about the return of the theater.

VIP Cinema’s owns a network of theaters, mostly in Illinois. They have been in operation for ten years, and have gained knowledge and experience in how to successfully operate a movie house in a small community.

Friday evening there were several visitors to witness the ribbon cut. Behind the ribbon were former Theater Manager Richard Casad, newly hired assistant manager Emily Hyde and Ward represented VIP Cinema’s Lincoln Grand. Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch along with Alderman Rick Hoefle, City Clerk Peggy Bateman, and Lincoln Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky were present along with Miss 2020 Logan County Fair Queen Faith Doerr and Little Miss Aubrey Rogers, and Small Town Creations owner Kathie Williams represented the Logan County Tourism Bureau.
 

Karen Hargis and Lisa Ramlow of Lincoln Daily News held the ribbon for the cut. Also on hand from LDN was Nila Smith behind the camera.

The staff at Lincoln Theater was introduced starting with Casad. He received a round of applause after the introduction. Casad had said before the cut that, yes, he was back, but it was fully his intent to “pass the torch” at some point in the future. Nonetheless, for the time being at least Casad is a familiar face in the theater that many appreciate seeing when they come in.

Ward spoke briefly saying that VIP Cinemas was happy to be in Lincoln. They were enjoying the response to the theater and were hopeful that the momentum of the first couple of weeks would keep up.

Mayor Welch also spoke saying that it was good to see the vacant theater up and running. Having the theater open is good for the community and good for the local economy. He wished the new owners much success and thanked them for investing in Lincoln.

After a posed picture, the traditional count down was called out, then Ward snipped the ribbon. Guests were invited to go inside and check out the theater and also enter to win two free movie tickets for future use.

[Nila Smith]